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  <title>Chapter 8</title>
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            <h1 class="title">Chapter 8</h1>
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          <h2 class="subtitle">Belah</h2>
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      <p class="first first-in-chapter first-full-width"><span class="first-letter first-letter-b">B</span>elah closed her eyes, a little terrified by the effect the turul musician had on her. The music calmed her as much as it excited her. The notes that came out of that shining, golden instrument were as beautiful and primal as an ancient dragon’s song—music she and her siblings had made together at the beginning of time.</p>
      <p class="subsq">The eerie way it mimicked the rhythm from the song in her dreams surprised her. Now that she was hearing it in person, she was transported by it. It didn’t matter that a key rhythm seemed to be missing, as though a second instrument and the lyrics were left out, though she couldn’t place where they belonged—the song reached deep into her and wrapped around her soul, anyway.</p>
      <p class="subsq">She didn’t expect the sudden, aching need to be with this musician she now watched on stage, and the urge alarmed her. She could have chosen any man in the club Erika and Geva brought her to, but the man on stage was the one who captured her attention. And he was playing for her now; she could tell by the way his gaze never left hers the entire time. The sultry sounds he produced tickled her ears, then went straight to her core.</p>
      <p class="subsq">The humans in this club were all just as charmed by the music. But as empowering as being here was—seeing her effect on the men around her, especially—the effect of the music on her did just the opposite. The turul’s focus gave her that same weightless sensation of surrender she’d felt so long ago with Nikhil, before he’d been perverted by his darkness. It wasn’t a sense of being revered—worshiped—like other lovers. The music sank soul-deep into her, possessing her the way the wind did when she flew. But unlike the sensation of her surrender to Nikhil, there was no underlying sense of twisted need from the man on stage. The message was simple: <i>I can carry you away, if you let me.</i></p>
      <p class="subsq">She shook herself, hating that she’d compare any potential lover to the monster she’d seen earlier that night. Nothing of what she’d loved about Nikhil remained inside the psyche of the man who had found her. When she’d known him before, his craving to inflict pain was always balanced by his confidence in his abilities to give just as much pleasure. He’d been the perfect embodiment of both to her, but now nothing but hatred remained. She wasn’t sure whether she would react the way he hoped when she gave him that week with her. As much as her need for submission still burned in her belly—and had been reawakened by the very act of kneeling in front of her former lover—the idea of being taken to those places by this new version of Nikhil made her sick.</p>
      <p class="subsq">Lukas’s music promised release of a different sort. There was a shadow of sadness in the sounds, but they were always tempered by hope, and even joy. If all the turul made music like this, she couldn’t wait to find the man who would finally see her as his true mate—the one whose song sounded complete when he played it for her. In the meantime, she would enjoy the search, particularly if it meant she could experience these sounds over and over again.</p>
      <p class="subsq">Belah barely noticed the rest of the club, or even the fresh drink the waitress set before her. She closed her eyes just to experience the music, to surrender to it for a moment and imagine letting Lukas do just what his music seemed to offer—to carry her away</p>
      <p class="subsq">She opened her eyes again after the sounds took on an almost conversational, questioning tune—like he was trying to speak to her through the notes he played. She smiled up at him and was rewarded with a pleased look in his eyes that she’d acknowledged his message.</p>
      <p class="subsq">She let out a satisfied sigh when the song ended.</p>
      <p class="subsq">“He’s hot shit, isn’t he?” Erika asked, pulling herself away from Geva long enough to draw Belah into conversation. “His band used to tour worldwide, but I always love hearing them on their own turf. Especially Lukas. The man sure knows his way around a saxophone. His brother’s just as talented—they used to play here together.”</p>
      <p class="subsq">Belah nodded and took a sip of the wine in front of her. She closed her eyes, savoring the flavor and thinking how well the lingering mood from the music was complemented by the richness of the drink.</p>
      <p class="subsq">“He is nothing like I’ve experienced. Everything is so new and wonderful now. I wish I hadn’t had to wait so long to leave the Glade.”</p>
      <p class="subsq">She caught Erika and Geva both eyeing her with amused expressions and realized she’d been staring at Lukas, pondering whether he’d mind being watched by her Shadows while they made love—if he even knew they were there. He had a lovely, blue-tinged aura unlike those of the other musicians on the stage. It had the look of a smoky, glowing cloud around him, fluctuating with each breath he pushed into the mouthpiece of his instrument. When he began playing a new song, it was as if his aura pulsed in time to the beat, and bits of it flowed out of the end of the horn to drift through the air directly toward her.</p>
      <p class="subsq">In truth, she had probably chosen the perfect time to leave the Glade, particularly if it meant she found this lovely creature in his prime. Any other century, and she may have never discovered him.</p>
      <p class="subsq">The music seemed to have a profound effect on her companions, as well. Halfway through the next song, they disappeared from the private booth and didn’t return for some time. The band was well into another set when they finally slid back into their seats. Erika looked flushed and both of their auras glowed tellingly. Belah looked forward to the cravings of expectant motherhood, when she found the right mate.</p>
      <p class="subsq">“I’ll introduce you after their last set,” Erika said. “I think he already likes you, so maybe he’s the one.” She gave Belah a knowing smile. “You should know he’s a bit of a wild child, though. He’s never seemed the type to settle down, but he has other talents besides his music. At the very least, you could have some fun, and you never know—maybe you’re his true love, after all.”</p>
      <p class="subsq">Geva let out a low chuckle, making Belah raise her eyebrows and study the pair. Intrigued, she asked, “You two have both been with him?”</p>
      <p class="subsq">Geva quirked the corner of his mouth without looking at her, his eyes still on Lukas. “Erika has excellent taste in partners, but no, we haven’t had the pleasure of him yet.”</p>
      <p class="subsq">Erika laughed. “Back in the day, it was Ozzie who I spent time with, but I heard plenty about his cousins’ conquests too. Iszak and Lukas had quite a reputation.” She turned to her mate with a sly look and said, “Maybe we’ll have to ask Belah if she’d be willing to share.”</p>
      <p class="subsq">Geva only shook his head. “Maybe after the baby comes.” And with that, the couple were back to their tender kisses and caresses.</p>
      <p class="subsq">Belah sighed and set her attention back on Lukas, but her thoughts lingered on her hosts a moment longer. They were an inspiration for the kind of bond she hoped for, and when the baby quickened and grew larger in Erika’s womb, she intended to grant the child a Blessing for the hospitality they’d shown her.</p>
      <p class="subsq">Until then, she appreciated the subtle, enticing energy the Red exuded. Being near the two of them made her feel alive and eager to find a mate. If Lukas with the seductive music and smoldering eyes was the one, then that was all the better. She didn’t want to waste time.</p>
      <p class="subsq">The couple’s intensity was as seductive as the music, and Belah shifted her attention from Lukas, watching Erika and Geva over the rim of her wine glass. When Erika noticed and raised an eyebrow, Belah took a sip and set her glass down, smiling. “You two are refreshing companions, after spending so long away.”</p>
      <p class="subsq">Erika reached for her own drink and took a sip while studying her. She licked her lips, her gaze flicking back to Geva, and then to Lukas up on stage. “You know, I heard a bit about what happened during the ritual with Rowan. I admit I’m a little envious that Geva got to spend time with you before. And that I missed it.”</p>
      <p class="subsq">Belah’s skin tingled under the growing heat in Erika’s gaze. She recognized the fresh surge of aura that signaled an unborn baby’s craving for power beyond what the mother could provide on her own. Erika probably didn’t even realize herself that the impulse wasn’t entirely within her control.</p>
      <p class="subsq">Geva’s hand rested casually on his mate’s thigh, but he stayed silent, watching. Erika leaned in, her aura flickering with excited curiosity. The thoughts that accompanied the impression were playful, but beneath them, Belah sensed Erika’s own need to experience some of what her mate had. The music changed as Erika shifted closer, the tune becoming even more sultry and expectant—the drummer nearly missed a beat, but the bassist managed to pick up the slack. They must be quite accustomed to their sax player’s improvisations.</p>
      <p class="subsq">When Erika’s lips were close to Belah’s ear, she whispered, “One thing I heard drives Lukas mad is being forced to watch when he can’t touch.” She slid her fingers through Belah’s hair at the back of her head. The other woman’s breath was warm and sweet from her cocktail, her lips soft and supple when they pressed against Belah’s.</p>
      <p class="subsq">Erika’s tongue darted out tentatively at first, the warmth of it oddly shocking to Belah’s senses. She hadn’t been this intimate with another female in so long, she’d nearly forgotten how sweet this kind of contact could be.</p>
      <p class="subsq">With that one sweep of Erika’s tongue, Belah suddenly craved more and parted her lips, surrendering to the intensity of the kiss, giving herself up to it slowly. Erika deepened the kiss, her body shifting close enough that their hips and thighs touched. Belah clutched at her friend’s arm for balance. So decisive a woman she’d never known outside of her own race, and it felt good to let go after the very rude interruption she’d experienced with Ozzie earlier.</p>
      <p class="subsq">Through the haze of arousal that one kiss incited, the music changed again, matching the shift in Erika’s demeanor and the thoughts that clamored through her mind, all of them as plain to Belah as though she’d spoken. <i>God, I can’t believe she’s letting me do this. Will she let me in more? I have to try. Geva said none of them would lay back and accept me so easily. Too overbearing, my ass. I’ll show him. She might not accept my Nirvana, but at least I can have a taste of hers.</i></p>
      <p class="subsq">Beyond Erika, Geva’s emotions only signaled pleasant amusement and intrigue, but not surprise. No, the surprise was reserved for Belah when Erika’s fingertips traced a line along the slit in Belah’s long gown and teased beneath across the sensitive skin of her inner thigh.</p>
      <p class="subsq">Erika pulled away from the kiss and pressed lips to the side of her throat, tracing a line with her tongue up to tease at her earlobe. “Can I?” she whispered, her voice husky, her aura crackling against Belah’s skin like static.</p>
      <p class="subsq">Erika’s fingertips lightly brushed against the edge of the lacy thong panties Belah had conjured, based on a description of what a potential lover might like. Her gaze drifted to the stage and locked onto Lukas. He was still a stranger, yet somehow she felt she was asking for his approval. He gave it with the slightest nod, the corners of his occupied mouth pulling back ever so slightly as though he were smiling around his mouthpiece. He couldn’t have seen beyond their covered table to know precisely what was going on beneath, but Erika’s position no doubt gave it away.</p>
      <p class="subsq">Without removing her eyes from his, Belah spread her thighs and sighed when Erika’s deft fingers found her aching core and began to tease.</p>
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